Abstract: A method of reading an optical code (20); is provided, the method comprising the steps of recording image data having the optical code (20); determining defects (30), and evaluating the image data by reading the code words. In this respect, the defects (30) are determined using an edge criterion and/or a binarization criterion, wherein the edge criterion evaluates whether there is a code module in an edge-free region of the image data that is larger than a specified multiple of the module size, and wherein the binarization criterion evaluates whether a code module having gray scale values close to a binarization threshold has been recorded.

Abstract: A method of reading an optical code (20); is provided, the method comprising the steps of recording image data having the optical code (20); determining defects (30), and evaluating the image data by reading the code words. In this respect, the defects (30) are determined using an edge criterion and/or a binarization criterion, wherein the edge criterion evaluates whether there is a code module in an edge-free region of the image data that is larger than a specified multiple of the module size, and wherein the binarization criterion evaluates whether a code module having gray scale values close to a binarization threshold has been recorded.